Friday, March 24, 2017

GOD’S CHAMPIONS

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:2), where David picked up five smooth stones from the brook, one of which he used in his sling to kill Goliath.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

David knew for sure that the God of Israel was much bigger than any giant the Philistines could produce. David’s past experiences gave him great confidence that God would enable him to defeat Goliath. All of us can think of times when we’ve seen God doing great things in our own lives, or we’ve heard of God doing great things in the lives of others. Soon we’ll celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the greatest victory in human history. The historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection happened in the past, and it is also a present reality. He is risen!!! David was the champion of Israel. Jesus is the Champion for all time and for every challenge. The Apostle Paul writes of “the seed of David” (2 Timothy 2:8-13). Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (to read it in context see John 14:11-21). With our faith in Jesus, we too can be champions. Jesus assures us that the person who believes in Him will win the battles. In Him we are bigger than any challenge!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You have defeated the last human enemy, death! Therefore, I have complete confidence that with You living in me I can win over every giant that I face. I pray for boldness to take that which I know You’ve done in the past, apply that knowledge to the present, and move forward into future battles with the secure knowledge of Your Presence. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When God gave us Canada’s first professionally equipped Christian television production studio back in 1977, I could not stand to see God’s resources sitting empty for much of the day after we went live to air with the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast. Therefore, we began producing telecasts in many languages other than English. We also did shows for children and teens. Nite Lite, an open-line show which ran live 5 nights a week from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., was what one of our hosts, Rev. Ken Campbell, called “the best fishing hole in Canada.” In one staff Chapel service in the early 1990’s, I shared that the challenge of the middle-of-the-night ministry needed a champion who would assume full responsibility for its future. Later that day, Jim Cantelon, who had been one of my co-hosts on 100 Huntley Street after returning from Jerusalem where he established a great Christian congregation, approached me with these words: “David, I want to be that champion for the middle of the night.” He covered not only Canada but the U.S.A. as well for many years. I’m excited to rise every morning to champion the ministry of this blog!

Yours, praying Jesus’ prayer request: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers [champions] into the harvest field” (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2),

David

P.S. In the God Rocks children’s animated TV series produced by a champion, Bruce Stacey, the actor Mickey Rooney, certainly not a “giant” in stature, is the voice of “Bullseye”…the little rock that bopped Goliath. It’s a creative re-telling of today’s reading. Below is a poster from that episode (signed by Mickey). The episode is called “Splat Ball Square Off” and here’s a link to a trailer for it. Some of the God Rocks “Bible Toons” are available HERE. You might want to buy some and share them with the children for whom you can be a champion for Christ.

21 thoughts on “Friday, March 24, 2017

  1. Thank you Pastor David, I enjoyed the readings this morning and your comments. You have been an inspiration to me and many others . God is still using you to reach out to many through this blog, thank you for your dedication rising early every morning so we can be blessed. Have a Blessed Day Eleanor M
    Ps. I am still not getting this blog in my box, I have checked in my junk and there is nothing in it.

    • It hasn’t been coming to my email for over a yr now… Obviously the technical glitches of sending this inspirational blog out to us faithful followers hasn’t been completely resolved yet… but we are still here…

      Have a great day for Christ blog friends…

  2. The reading today of David and Goliath and your words is setting a perfectly fitting setting for my prayer request Pastor David and dear saints. Would you please pray for a nephew of mine once in the army but now discharged, addicted, lived on the streets but now in an apartment in the city of Kingston, ON? He is my Goliath at present and is the worst case yet in my family and is the result of our reconnecting with the rest of our family and the offsprings of a brother who is now passed because of alcohol. I dug out my five smooth stones that I got from a brook in the Valley of Elah in 2015 just to remind me that God is able as He was for David when he struck down the nearly 10 foot giant. Thank you saints.

    • That is my city, Ger. Lord God, Jehovah Rapha, the God of healing, bring the breath and touch of Your Holy Spirit upon in and through Ger’s dear nephew. Break his cycle of addiction and pain, give him strength and freedom, found through salvation and the precious cleansing Blood of Jesus, his and our Lord and Saviour. In the precious Name of Christ, we pray. Amen, amen and amen.

  3. Praise God!…”THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT CHAINED”!!!
    “Thy WORD is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
    Psalm 119:105

    Love the links Pastor David, thank you; and your “words of wisdom” always bring out the truth of the scripture in a more clear way!! I Bless you and your loved ones who minister together with you in bringing forth this manna to us daily. Praying for healing and strength for you Pastor David, in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!

    “The Name of the Lord is a strong and (Mighty) tower: the righteous run into it, and are safe”. Prov. 18:10

    my scripture this morning was Hebrews.
    Heb. 1:1-2 : In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He made the universe.”

  4. I read your comments on David and Goliath while Global was interviewing the Minister of ED. for Alberta. He is after the Christian Schools who have not instituted a Gay etc club in the schools. He says this is required by law.
    Anyone who reads this – Please pray that God will defeat our Goliath and allow us to have freedom of religion here in Alberta.

  5. Thank You Beverlee and Irene. Yes, I know this is your city Beverlee but I did not want to lay the burden all on you. I wept when I read your blog. His name is Brad and has my last name if you ever run into him as he still visits the streets. He was a good looking boy but not now I hear. Perhaps there is a deliverance ministry in your area. Thank you for your very effective prayer both you and Irene. God bless you all today. Ger

  6. Saints, I would like to put a special prayer request on the blog for my three eldest nephews, Jon, Chris and Tony; that they all come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and feel His overwhelming love for them in a profound and earnest way; that they realize how deserving they are to be loved and feel His undying Presence in their lives. For the desire for alcohol to leave Jon’s taste buds; for the hold of drugs to be released from Chris’s life; for God’s Presence of calmness to be showered upon Tony and his swearing to cease. Lord, as they continue to work hard, please bless them with supernatural abundance and prosperity beyond measure. Bring into all of their lives Christian women who will lead them safely to salvation and wonderful church families. Giving You all the thanks and praise and glory, in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen, amen, and amen!

  7. Amen, Beverlee, just saw your request. I will add their names to mine for continued prayer. They all have similar needs and there are probably other nephews and nieces related to our fellow bloggers who need intercession. I also have grandnephews Tony, Terry who also need prayer for deliverance from alcohol. It would also be a great testimony to this family and friends.

  8. I’m still not getting your blog in my mailbox every morning. I can access it but it was so nice to receive it every morning automatically. Can this be rectified? Thank you. I so appreciate your daily blog. Blessings!

  9. Lord You know how many of Your children need to be freed from all addictions, from drugs, booze, sugar, over spending, abusive behaviour, stealing, perfectionists, lying,sexual misconduct, and many more addictions!
    Your precious children Lord do not need to be involved in anything that is a bad habit! Give all those who desire to be released from these addictions the power to walk away! You did all this for me Lord 22 years ago! You did this for me! I pray You will do this for all precious souls who need to be free, and be able to live daily to giving you the Glory! Thank you Lord for all that You have done in my life, in the lives of millions and millions and millions of other people.Thank you Lord, thank you,

    • Amen to this prayer and I would like to add my husband to –
      And also that he would want the desire to be free from drugs
      And whatever other addictions he may have and come back
      To You Lord! And that he would be able to get a full time job
      Soon and keep it!
      Thank You Lord for your mercy and forgiveness! Thank You
      For Your Healing and Deliverance and Your Provisions!
      Blessings!

  10. I’m 67, Single (never married), attractive, intelligent, friendly, caring, giving, born-again Christian lady, who has had struggles & heartache all my life! I don’t understand this, because I grew up in an evangelical church, accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, when I was 8, (rededicated my life when I was 26), & tried to live a Christian life, & tried to do a very good job, wherever I worked. And yet, I was bullied at home, school, work, & even in Christian circles! Many times I’ve wanted to die, so the hurts & pain would end! I need GOD to help me in All areas – Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Social, $ Financial!

Leave a Reply to Julie Tonn Fischer Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.